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Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has assured families of the victims of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, that the accident will be thoroughly investigated.
Speaking to journalists at the crash site on Thursday, Aneke said he personally knew those on the aircraft, including the crew members, describing their deaths as a major loss to the Air Force.
“The best we can do is to honor the sacrifice they have put with those on board this aircraft.”
Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Aneke says the Nigerian Air Force will conduct a full investigation into the aircraft crash.
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) October 8, 2026
“I basically knew everyone on that flight. I have flown on this airplane. My family has flown on this airplane,” he said.
“I know each of the crew personally. Highly trained professional and intelligent officers. And the best we can do is to honour the sacrifice they have put with those on board this aircraft.”
Aneke said the Air Force would ensure that the circumstances surrounding the crash were properly established, adding that a team of military and civilian aviation experts would be involved in the investigation.
“I want to assure the families of our loved ones that the Nigerian Air Force will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that whatever happened here is properly investigated.
“I have tasked my superintendent of safety and evaluation to come up with a high level delegation comprising of both military and civilian safety experts, NTSB, accident investigation board, retired senior officers, experienced Air Force officers to sit down and get to the bottom of what happened,” he added.
He urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation is ongoing, stressing that specialists should be allowed to determine the cause of the crash.
“This is not the time to start speculating and I plead with the general public.
“We’ve lost people who are fighting for the nation. The best we can do for them is to be a little bit patient and let those who are the specialists get to the bottom of what has happened,” Aneke said.
Aneke further emphasized that the Air Force places strong emphasis on safety and follows established procedures before flights are conducted.
“We in the Air Force we leave no stone unturned when it comes to safety. Everything is ensured and every I and T are dotted and crossed before we go on any flights,” he said.
He described the incident as a major loss and acknowledged the pain suffered by families of the victims.
“It’s a very big loss and no amount of words we put can bring so-called understanding to those who have lost,” he said.
“I myself I’m bereaved so I understand how it feels and I assure those who have lost fathers, mothers, sisters, in-laws that they are not left alone.
“The Air Force will take its responsibility and ensure children and loved ones are trained and made to live life as normal as we can make it,” he added.
The Nigerian Air Force had on Monday disclosed that the victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers, releasing their names in a statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF.
